Valance Item Number: Edz1246 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Long, rectangular, brocade textile of cream fabric and indigo design. There is a rinceau border on the sides and base with a design consisting of butterflies, floral motifs, Buddha's hands and swastika designs. The two short edges are selvedge; two long edges are hemmed. The centre has five stylized floral and geometric medallions separated by four sets of smaller medallions. Right outer medallion includes: bird, bat, Buddha's hand, swastika designs. Right inner: tree, leaves, flower and swastika. The centre medallion: urn, flower, swastika, Buddha hand. The right inner; tree, and flowers. Left outer; tree and Buddha's hand. Between the medallions are trees, urns, flowers, and swastika designs.
History Of Use
Blue and white embroideries are part of a long domestic tradition. Designs vary geographically but are constant within generations of families except for minor individual variations. Often used to decorate the bed which traditionally played a focal part in household ritual particularly at the new year when all household spirits were honored. They are family made, by women, and family owned. These embroideries were of no local commercial value.
Cultural Context
utilitarian;household
Iconographic Meaning
Tree symbolizes life giving spring. The butterfly represents joy, brightness and true love. The swastika, supreme good luck; the phoenix, peace and prosperity; Buddha's hand, wealth and divine protection. The bat represents happiness and long life.
Item History
- Made in Chengdu, Sichuan, China before 1945
- Collected between 1932 and 1945
- Owned by Kathleen F. Spooner before April 25, 1979
- Received from Kathleen F. Spooner (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) on April 25, 1979
What
- Name
- Valance
- Identification Number
- Edz1246
- Type of Item
- valance
- Material
- cotton fibre and indigo dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- woven, stitched, embroidered and dyed
- Overall
- height 38.6 cm, width 196.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Kathleen F. Spooner
- Received from
- Kathleen F. Spooner (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Chengdu, Sichuan, China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1945
- Collection Date
- between 1932 and 1945
- Ownership Date
- before April 25, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on April 25, 1979
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0567/0021